Fred Goetz
Encyclopedia
Fred Samuel Goetz also known as "Shotgun" George Ziegler, "George B. Seibert", George Zeigler" and was a Chicago Outfit
mobster and a suspected participant in the Valentine's Day Massacre, in 1929 and Kansas City Massacre
.
Born in Chicago to Samuel T. Goetz and his wife Ottillie Bensel who both emigrated from Germany
and moved to 1338 Eddy Street in the Wrigleyville enclave of Lake View. Ottillie bore Samuel two children, Fred and a daughter Sophie. Fred graduated from Lane Technical College Prep High School
in 1914. After graduating Lane Tech, he went on to attend the University of Illinois
and graduated in 1918 where he earned a degree in engineering. Following his graduation at UOI Fred enlisted in the US Army and after basic training was stationed at Langley Field, Virginia, during World War I
, as a pilot in the United States Army Aviation Branch
where he rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
By 1922, Goetz worked as a lifeguard
at Clarendon Municipal Bathing Beach in the neighbourhood of Beach Park, Illinois
until he was charged with assaulting seven-year-old Jean Lanbert by an alley near her house where she in Edgewater, Chicago
. Goetz denied the charges and jumped bail on June 10, 1925. Four months later, Roger Bessner implicated Goetz in a failed robbery of Dr. Henry R. Gross, in which the family chauffeur was killed. On October 20, 1925 the Illinois State Attorney had a lawsuit brought against Fred's parents, Samuel and Ottillie who scheduled some of their empty real estate property to be used as collateral for their son's bond. They would later divorce, his mother moving to 1503 Ardmore Avenue in Edgewater, Chicago
and his father Samuel relocating to Cincinnati.
During the next several years, Goetz would become associates with underworld figures such as Joseph "Yellow Kid" Weil
and Morris Klineman, as well as participating in several armed robberies, including the robbery of $352,000 from the Farmers and Merchants Bank
, in Jefferson, Wisconsin
, with Gus Winkler
and four others, in 1929. He lived in an apartment at 7827 South Shore Drive in South Shore, Chicago
with his wife 'Irene'. His landlady would describe Fred and his wife as "fine people" and that Fred was a "very brilliant and handsome man".
After the Valentine's Day Massacre, Goetz left Chicago and began bootlegging operations in Kansas City, Missouri
before becoming associated with the Barker Gang. He later participated in several bank robberies with Alvin Karpis
, Fred and Doc Barker, as well as the 1934 St. Paul, Minnesota banking millionaire Edward G. Bremer. Goetz collected the ransom and released Bremer.
Returning to Chicago, Goetz was killed in a drive-by-shooting while outside a closed Cicero, Illinois
, restaurant, The Minerva, on March 20, 1934. He was taken to the Frances E. Wlllard National Temperance Hospital but died from his wounds. His expensive coupe that he drove was found in Greater Grand Crossing, Chicago and it was believed to have been abandoned there by his wife Irene, who along with Fred was a wanted fugitive
by the FBI. The culprit for his murder are unclear. However a number of his former associates had motives for his murder, including the Barker Gang. Barker Gang leader Alvin Karpis
, believed that Outfit boss Frank Nitti
had ordered Ziegler's murder. He is buried at Irving Park Cemetery in Norridge, Illinois
.
Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
mobster and a suspected participant in the Valentine's Day Massacre, in 1929 and Kansas City Massacre
Kansas City Massacre
The Kansas City massacre was the shootout and murder of four law enforcement officers and a criminal fugitive at the Union Station railroad depot in Kansas City, Missouri, on the morning of June 17, 1933. It occurred as part of the attempt by a gang led by Vernon Miller to free Frank "Jelly" Nash,...
.
Born in Chicago to Samuel T. Goetz and his wife Ottillie Bensel who both emigrated from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and moved to 1338 Eddy Street in the Wrigleyville enclave of Lake View. Ottillie bore Samuel two children, Fred and a daughter Sophie. Fred graduated from Lane Technical College Prep High School
Lane Technical College Prep High School
Albert G. Lane Technical College Preparatory High School , is a public, four-year, magnet high school located on the north side of Chicago...
in 1914. After graduating Lane Tech, he went on to attend the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
and graduated in 1918 where he earned a degree in engineering. Following his graduation at UOI Fred enlisted in the US Army and after basic training was stationed at Langley Field, Virginia, during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, as a pilot in the United States Army Aviation Branch
United States Army Aviation Branch
The Aviation Branch of the United States Army is the administrative organization within the Army responsible for doctrine, manning and configuration for all aviation units....
where he rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
By 1922, Goetz worked as a lifeguard
Lifeguard
A lifeguard supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, or beach. Lifeguards are strong swimmers and trained in first aid, certified in water rescue using a variety of aids and equipment depending on...
at Clarendon Municipal Bathing Beach in the neighbourhood of Beach Park, Illinois
Beach Park, Illinois
Beach Park is a village in the Benton and Waukegan Townships of Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 10,072 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Beach Park is located at ....
until he was charged with assaulting seven-year-old Jean Lanbert by an alley near her house where she in Edgewater, Chicago
Edgewater, Chicago
Edgewater is a lakefront community area in the North Side of the city of Chicago, Illinois seven miles north of the Loop. As one of Chicago’s 77 official community areas, Edgewater is bounded by Foster Avenue on the south, Devon Avenue on the north, Ravenswood Avenue on the west, and Lake Michigan...
. Goetz denied the charges and jumped bail on June 10, 1925. Four months later, Roger Bessner implicated Goetz in a failed robbery of Dr. Henry R. Gross, in which the family chauffeur was killed. On October 20, 1925 the Illinois State Attorney had a lawsuit brought against Fred's parents, Samuel and Ottillie who scheduled some of their empty real estate property to be used as collateral for their son's bond. They would later divorce, his mother moving to 1503 Ardmore Avenue in Edgewater, Chicago
Edgewater, Chicago
Edgewater is a lakefront community area in the North Side of the city of Chicago, Illinois seven miles north of the Loop. As one of Chicago’s 77 official community areas, Edgewater is bounded by Foster Avenue on the south, Devon Avenue on the north, Ravenswood Avenue on the west, and Lake Michigan...
and his father Samuel relocating to Cincinnati.
During the next several years, Goetz would become associates with underworld figures such as Joseph "Yellow Kid" Weil
Joseph Weil
Joseph "Yellow Kid" Weil was one of the best known American con men of his era. Weil's biographer, W. T. Brannon, wrote of Weil's "...uncanny knowledge of human nature." Over the course of his career, Weil is reputed to have stolen more than $8 million."Each of my victims had larceny in his...
and Morris Klineman, as well as participating in several armed robberies, including the robbery of $352,000 from the Farmers and Merchants Bank
Farmers and Merchants Bank
Farmers and Merchants Bank is a historic lending institution in downtown Los Angeles, California, USA, known both for its architecture and its pivotal role in the economic development of early Los Angeles...
, in Jefferson, Wisconsin
Jefferson, Wisconsin
Jefferson is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, and is its county seat. It is located at the confluence of the Rock and Crawfish Rivers. The population was 7,338 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Jefferson.-History:...
, with Gus Winkler
Gus Winkler
Gus Winkler was a St. Louis mobster who, with Fred “Killer” Burke, was head of a criminal gang specializing in armed robbery and murder for hire....
and four others, in 1929. He lived in an apartment at 7827 South Shore Drive in South Shore, Chicago
South Shore, Chicago
South Shore is one of 77 well-defined community areas of the City of Chicago, Illinois in the United States. A predominately black neighborhood located along Chicago's southern lakefront, it is a relatively stable and gentrifying neighborhood...
with his wife 'Irene'. His landlady would describe Fred and his wife as "fine people" and that Fred was a "very brilliant and handsome man".
After the Valentine's Day Massacre, Goetz left Chicago and began bootlegging operations in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
before becoming associated with the Barker Gang. He later participated in several bank robberies with Alvin Karpis
Alvin Karpis
Alvin Francis Karpis , nicknamed "Creepy" for his sinister smile, was an American criminal known for his alliance with the Barker gang in the 1930s. He was the last "public enemy" to be taken.-Early life:Karpis was born to Lithuanian immigrants in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and was raised in Topeka,...
, Fred and Doc Barker, as well as the 1934 St. Paul, Minnesota banking millionaire Edward G. Bremer. Goetz collected the ransom and released Bremer.
Returning to Chicago, Goetz was killed in a drive-by-shooting while outside a closed Cicero, Illinois
Cicero, Illinois
Cicero is an incorporated town in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 83,891 at the 2010 census. Cicero is named for the town of Cicero, New York, which in turn was named for Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman statesman and orator....
, restaurant, The Minerva, on March 20, 1934. He was taken to the Frances E. Wlllard National Temperance Hospital but died from his wounds. His expensive coupe that he drove was found in Greater Grand Crossing, Chicago and it was believed to have been abandoned there by his wife Irene, who along with Fred was a wanted fugitive
Fugitive
A fugitive is a person who is fleeing from custody, whether it be from private slavery, a government arrest, government or non-government questioning, vigilante violence, or outraged private individuals...
by the FBI. The culprit for his murder are unclear. However a number of his former associates had motives for his murder, including the Barker Gang. Barker Gang leader Alvin Karpis
Alvin Karpis
Alvin Francis Karpis , nicknamed "Creepy" for his sinister smile, was an American criminal known for his alliance with the Barker gang in the 1930s. He was the last "public enemy" to be taken.-Early life:Karpis was born to Lithuanian immigrants in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and was raised in Topeka,...
, believed that Outfit boss Frank Nitti
Frank Nitti
Francesco Raffaele Nitto , also known as Frank "The Enforcer" Nitti, was an Italian American gangster. One of Al Capone's top henchmen, Nitti was in charge of all strong-arm and 'muscle' operations...
had ordered Ziegler's murder. He is buried at Irving Park Cemetery in Norridge, Illinois
Norridge, Illinois
Norridge is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 14,582 at the 2000 census. The current Mayor of Norridge is Ronald A. Oppedisano.The village is completely surrounded by Chicago and Harwood Heights.-Name origin:...
.
External links
- Fred Goetz at Find-A-Grave
- TIME.com - Illinois' Goetz
- http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/id107.htm
Further reading
- Paul Maccabee, John Dillinger Slept Here: A Crook's Tour of Crime and Corruption in Saint Paul, Minnesota Historical SocietyMinnesota Historical SocietyThe Minnesota Historical Society is a private, non-profit educational and cultural institution dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It was founded by the territorial legislature in 1849, almost a decade before statehood. The Society is named in the Minnesota...
Press.